Lapu-lapu City mayor recovers from coronavirus

LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Junard Chan has recovered from the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) after undergoing two weeks of quarantine.

Chan, who returned to work, was greeted by members of the City Council and other city officials and employees.“i did not expect that I would have a faster recovery. I did not expect that you would greet me today. It’s not easy to stay in a room that you can see no one. Thank God, I am here now,” Chan said.

He believed he contracted Covid-19 during the times he removed his face mask while in public places and ate in the company of other people. He thanked the medical front-liners who attended to him during his isolation.

“Dako nakong kalipay nga ipahibalo kaninyong tanan nga nagnegatibo na kita sa Covid-19 human sa 14 ka adlaw nga isolation gikan sa atong pag-swab niadtong Hunyo 10 diin kita nagpositibo,” he said.

It can be recalled that Chan, instead of attending the flag ceremony on Independence Day on June 12, went to social media to relay the message that he was infected with the dreaded virus.

He said he was touched by the messages of support from his constituents and well-wishers, which gave him the strength to continue working through constant virtual meetings with the city’s Crisis Management Team and to strive to recover as early as possible.

Chan considered his recovery from Covid-19 as “second life”, saying he viewed it as a miracle and debt from God, the Our Lady of the Rule, the patroness of Mactan Island, and Señor Sto. Niño.

He was the first local chief executive in Cebu to contract the coronavirus. The second was Mayor Sun Shimura, of

Daanbantayan town, who announced recently that he tested positive for Covid-19. The municipal hall of Daanbantayan suspended operations last week to disinfect the building while the Office of the Mayor has also been closed and will be opened after a week.

Shimura is now undergoing isolation for mild coronavirus symptoms. (John Rey Saavedra)

Lapu-lapu City Mayor Junard Chan greets city officials and employees, as well as well-wishers, who waited for him in front of the City Hall on Thursday, June 25, 2020 as he returns for work after recovering from Covid-19. Chan announced his recovery after a 14-day quarantine. (City Hall video grab)